STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- This year's class of Slim Downers has taken the mantra of "no excuses" to another level.

The night of the first Fitness Surprise followed a snowstorm that left ice and freezing temperatures in its wake, but it didn't stop 300 people from turning out at the College of Staten Island gym to find out they showed up a Tony Avilez Boot Camp.

This Wednesday it wasn't the cold outside but the heat indoors when a similar size crowd packed into the conference room of the Bernikow Jewish Community Center.

It was standing room only — vertical was the only plane that everyone could fit in -- but no excuses.

Avilez warmed up the crowd with the finer points of a half-clap before Donny "D-Fine" Brandefine got the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd going in a workout guaranteed to make muscles and generate a lot of sweat.

"You are going to redefine your bodies," Brandefine told participants as he launched a series of boot camp, toning and boxing exercises.

"I'm sweating which is good. I know I don't lose any weight if I don't sweat, so I love to sweat. It means I'm getting results," said Christina Somma-Berrocal. The Willowbrook resident is competing for the Slim Down's $1,000 prize that rewards not the most weight lost, but the most dramatic transformation in physical appearance and in attitude.

Not making excuses or cutting corners is especially important to James Johnson, an assistant football coach at Port Richmond High School.

"I expect my kids to give what they've got," said Johnson who is also a competitor in the Slim Down. It's not going to be easy either. Trailing last during the mall walk was a humbling experience.

"I'll get abuse, but health comes first," said Johnson. He said a number of health problems have prompted him to take his weight and fitness more seriously. Dropping 30 pounds and going back to beer and pizza has not been a winning formula. This time he is following the Slim Down routine to a T -- watching the diet, fitness and lifestyle videos, doing the exercises daily, attending the Fitness Surprise and mall walks. He has dropped a quick 16 pounds, he said.

"You don't need dumbbells, all you need is you," exhorted Brandefine as he led the crowd through curls, crunches and tree hugs.

Ms. Berrocal, a resource analyst with the Parks Department, brought along her friend and co-worker Stefanie Guitierrez. Prince's Bay resident Barbara Kenney also used her convincing power on her husband Don Geary and her niece Catherine Mahony. The trio are all participants.

"The Slim Down is a great idea. It's a great way for everyone in the community to get active and fit," said the 23-year-old Ms. Mahony.

Within an hour and using the space of a few inches, a few hundred people were a little more fit.